Towle Silver Spoon?

[fritz1255]

The mages show a spoon (one of three) that have been in my family for years. The "W" on the front presumably stands for my paternal grandmother's maiden name. I think the hallmark on the back is a Towle hallmark, and S W Fellows is likely the name of the store where they bought it? Any idea how old it might be?

[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

Difficult to determine the age, but this is likely to be the retailer:


S.W. Fellows - Lawrence, Mass. - 1883

Trev.

[dragonflywink]

Hi - pretty typical 1880s engraved pattern, Towle called this one 'No. 43', introduced in 1882, done on their 1880 'Windsor' pattern - but don't believe Towle used the 'lion-in-T' trademark until 1890...

~Cheryl

[fritz1255]

Thanks much, folks, you totally nailed this! My grandmother was born in Lawrence, MA in 1894. I almost think the spoons may have been given to her parents as a wedding gift? Or maybe when her dad remarried in about 1905 after her mother passed away? In any case,the spoons may have been split up among the family, which is why we have such an odd quantity. Thanks again for the input!

[silverly]

Samuel Wheeler Fellows was born in Franklin, New Hampshire on 7 March 1849 and died in Lawrence, Massachusetts on 18 January 1916.

[fritz1255]

OK just for grins how much would the original purchase price of this spoon have been in 1890 something?

[dragonflywink]

The examples below are from different editions of the same retailer's catalog, the first is from 1889, the second is from 1897, silver must have dropped in between since the later prices are lower (note that prices and weights on the spoons and forks are by the half-dozen) - the engraved Lily and Rose patterns are comparable to yours, but were probably made by Joseph Seymour rather than Towle.

1889:


1897:


~Cheryl

[fritz1255]

OK thanks Cheryl! I believe the ones I have are the lowest price (lightest) models.

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Thanks everyone for your help!